History

Historians study the past in all its multiplicity. While the mission is impossible even for them, historians select their topic and approach. Historical research at the University of Tampere is characterized by approach, which emphasizes comparative and conceptual analysis of historical phenomena, i.e. everyday-life, human interactions, institutions, conceptions and living conditions are studied in their social and cultural context. That makes it possible to perceive long-term changes and alternatives in the past as well as in the present world.

Historians at University of Tampere have gained remarkable success in generating external research funding based on evaluation. Research is supported by wide international contacts and co-operation. In recent Research Assessment Exercise UTA RAE 2014 History and philosophy was among the highest rated Units of Assessment in the University of Tampere. The final report rated the societal impact of research in the field of history at an outstanding international level.

The Finnish CoE in Historical Research, nominated by the Academy of Finland, studies how the Finnish society and its historical identity were made as an outcome of European and global development and interaction. The same kind of transnational approach dominates the research of the 20th century European and North American history. Another strong field of research is the history of Classical, Medieval and Renaissance culture (Trivium) concentrating on premodern everyday-life and world-views. Historiography and historical theory are self-evident elements in all critical and successful research.

Phenomena and themes (keywords) of the current research activities include: family, population, childhood, everyday-life, gender, health, education, welfare state, world-views, religion and belief, witchcraft, nobility, church, national identity, political ideas, labour, civic society, industrialisation, environment, urban development, Civil War 1918. Further descriptions can be found at the staff web pages or from SoleCris - Current Research Infomation System.